Sprocket-chain.



1N0. 667,97l. Patented Feb. l2, l90l. S. F. CLOUSER.

SPROGKET CHAIN.

!App1ication filed Feb. 16, 1900.)

-'No Modem Hill! M 9am:

qwitmwoa Suva latex Parnir SAMUEL F. CLOUSER, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y.

SPROCKET -CHAlN.

SEEGIIEIUATIUIM forming part of Letters Patent No. 67,971. at d February 12, 1901.

Application filed February 16,1900- Serial No. 5,546. (No model.)

To LIZ whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL F. CLoUsnR, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York,(lirooklyrn) in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Sprocket-Chains, of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to that class of sprocket chains which embody projecting points or teeth adapted to pass in between bearings on the sprocket-wheels.

My invention has also especial relation to sprocket-chains ot' the class above mentioned, the links of which are made up from plates arrangetil in pairs and relatively pivoted, said plates having extensions or pointed portions which form the teeth for engaging the sprocket-wheel.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved chain of the class above mentioned which will be especially adapted for effective use and operation in crossed positionthat is to say, a chain which is adapted to relatively cross intermediately between the pair of sprocket-wheels and engage said wheels in opposite or reverse direction.

Ordinary sprocket-chains made up with the usual construction of links cannot of course be crossed in the manner just stated, and the only sprocket-chains capable of this crossing function are those which are comparatively flat, such as chains made up of plates, as above specified; but such chains have their projecting points or teeth arranged all at one edge of the chain, it being unnecessary that the teeth be on more than the inner edge of the chain when the latter is employed in a direct manner between sprocket-wheels without crossing. i hen, however, such chains are crossed in the manner above mentioned, both the inner and outer edges of the chain must have operative connection with the respective sprocket wheels-in other words, the inner edge of the chain will run on one sprocket-wheel, while the relatively outer edge of the chain will run on the other sprocket-wheel, as will be readily understood by reference to Figure 1 of the drawings. A sprocket-chain having teeth on only one edge could not, therefore, be used as a crossing sprocket-chain, nor could a sprocket-chain which was not of relatively flat structure be used as a crossing chain. My invention thus embodies two points of desideratumnamely, a sprocketchain which is relatively flat and adapted to be crossed and which provides teeth or projections at both the inner and outer edges of the chain, whereby said edges are alternately in opposite engagement with the respective sprocket-wheels, first with one wheel at the inner edge of the chain and then with the other wheel at the relatively outer edge of the chain.

'In the drawings forming part of this specification, in which like reference characters denote like parts in the several views, Fig. 1 is a side View showing a crossing sprocket-chain embodying my improvements and in operative connection with two sprocket- Wheels. Fig. 2 is a detail edge view of a portion of the chain. Fig. 3 is a detail cross-section on the line a: as of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the links of the chain, which are respectively formed of two metallic plates 1) b, which are arranged in parallel position and collectively form a relatively flat link. as will be understood by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings; but said flat links maybe formed in any other suitable or desired manner.- The plates 1) b of each alternate link are separated a sufficient distance to receive in between said plates the ends of the plates of the intermediate link, and said connection ends of the plates of the respective links are then pivotally connected together in the usual manner by means of transverse bolts or rivets ror in any other suitable or adapted manner. Said receiving-links are designated at 1, while the intermediate links are designated at 2. The plates 1) b of the intermediate links 2 may be be arranged in tlat and close adjoining position, or said links may be formed of a single piece if desired. The plates of the receiving-links l are separated a distance corresponding to the width of the intermediate links 2.

The respective links are provided with points or projections 25, projecting oppositely at opposite sides of the longitudinal pivotal plane of the chain, which projections or teeth D and E designate, respectively, the two sprocket-wheels, which may be in the main of any suitable or adapted construction providing bearings, as atf, between which the projections or teeth 75 of the fiat links of the chain are adapted to be received in the man.- ner represented in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The preferred form of sprocket-wheel which is designed to be used in connection with my improved chain preferably embodies side disks, as at g, between which the flat projections or teeth 25 are adapted to be received and between which extend the bearing members or rollers f, this form of sprocket-wheel being especially adapted for use in connection with the improved construction of flat sprocket-chain which is embodied in my invention and improvements.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood. When the chain is mounted upon the sprocket-wheels and centrally crossed intermediately thereof, as represented in Fig. 1, the teeth or projections 25 at one edge of the chain will engage the sprocket-wheel D, While the corresponding teeth or projections 75 at the opposite edge of the chain will engage the sprocket-wheel E.v It will be understood that in the travel of the chain the teeth which are in engagement with the sprocket-wheel D will be out of engagement with the sprocket-wheel E when the chain crosses at the central or intermediate point and reaches the sprocketwheel E, at which time the teeth which are at the edge of the sprocket-chain opposite from the edge which Was in engagement with the sprocket-wheel D will then engage the sprocket-Wheel E. The crossing sprocketchain which constitutes my invention thus has its teeth at its opposite edges alternately engaging the respective sprocket wheels. The device provides an exceedingly simple and inexpensive flat sprocket-chain which will effectively operate in crossed position.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A crossing sprocket-chain, consisting of plates pivotally connected and having projections or extensions forming teeth at opposite sides of the plane of the pivots, where by projections or teeth are formed in a series at both the edges of the chain, the upper and lower portions of all of the plates being brought into contact to form two thin operative edges, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A crossing sprocket-chain, comprising a pluralityof parallel plates secured together with their inner faces in contact and provided with projections to form teeth on both edges of the chain; and a plurality of other plates secured together outside of the first-named plates to connect the same and similarly provided with projections to form corresponding teeth, the last-named projections being bent inwardly to contact mutually with each other so as to provide continuous working edges for the chain of uniform thickness.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myinvention I have signed my name, in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 7th day of February, 1900.

SAMUEL F. CLOUSER.

Witnesses:

O. C. OLSEN, V. M. VosLER. 

